Pocket construction

ABSTRACT

A pocket construction includes a first panel, at least one second reinforcing panel that sits near the first panel, and a third panel including an overlap portion that overlaps at least a portion of the first panel. A pocket portion is mounted to the overlap portion of the third panel. At least one first fastener joins the first panel and the at least one reinforcing panel. In an embodiment of the invention, at least one second fastener joins the pocket portion, the overlap portion and the first and second panels. In the embodiment of the invention, the fasteners are bartacks.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application is based on and claims priority to application serial no. 60/464,403, filed Apr. 17, 2003, entitled IMPROVED POCKET CONSTRUCTION, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to the pocket construction of pants such as jeans, and in particular to an improved pocket construction that allows the pants to be more durable.

[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0005] The pocket construction for conventional pants pockets such as pockets on jeans are not very strong. This also applies to the pocket construction of the so-called “work” jeans available from any of the known suppliers.

[0006] Referring now to FIGS. 1a-3, there is shown a representation of a conventional pocket construction 100 on a conventional jean 110. The pocket construction 100 includes a pocket 112 sewn to a back panel 114 of the jeans 110. The pocket 100 is attached to the back panel 114 by any of the known methods, e.g., sewing.

[0007] Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, typically, the pocket 100 is sewn onto the back panel 114 by any of the known methods. Bartacks 116, as known by those skilled in the art, are included at the corners 118 of the pocket 112 for reinforcement. The bartacks 116 join six layers of the pocket 112 found at the corners 118, to the back panel 114 which is made up of one layer. The six layers of fabric at the corners of the pocket 112 are derived from folding over the top edge of the pocket twice, and then folding over the side edge once.

[0008] With this construction, it has been found that there is an imbalance in the corner area 118 which is caused by the six layers of fabric from the pocket 112 sewn onto the single layer of fabric of the back panel 114, and reinforced by the bartacks 116. Without being bound by theory, it is believed that this imbalance creates a stress point 120 at area 118 which can not be overcome by the single layer of fabric of the back panel 114. As a result, this causes the pocket 110 to easily rip the pants 100 at or near the stress point 120.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The improved pocket construction of the present invention provides a pocket construction that is more securely attached to a pair of pants, including but not limited to jeans, and consequently does not easily rip the pants to which the pocket is attached.

[0010] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the invention which refers to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING(S)

[0011] For the purpose if illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings an embodiment which is presently preferred; it being understood however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.

[0012]FIG. 1a is a perspective back view of a conventional pair of pants including a conventional pants pocket construction.

[0013]FIG. 1b is a perspective front view of the conventional pair of paints of FIG. 1.

[0014]FIG. 2 is a more detailed view of the conventional pants pocket construction of FIG. 1a.

[0015]FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

[0016]FIGS. 4a and 4 b are perspective views of an embodiment of the improved pocket construction of the present invention.

[0017]FIG. 5 is a more detailed view of the improved pocket construction of FIGS. 4a and 4 b.

[0018]FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 5.

[0019]FIGS. 7a and 7 b is an alternative embodiment of the improved pocket construction of the present invention.

[0020]FIG. 8 is a more detailed view of the improved pocket construction of FIGS. 7a and 7 b.

[0021]FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 8

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0022] Referring now to FIGS. 4a-6 wherein like numerals indicate like elements, there is shown a pair of pants 10, incorporating the improved pocket construction 12 of the present invention. It should be realized by those skilled in the art that the improved pocket construction of the present invention can be used in connection with any type of pocket and any type of pants, including but not limited to, jeans.

[0023] The pants 10 are generally constructed in the conventional manner by any of the known methods. For example, the pants 10 include a top portion or yoke 14 sewn onto a bottom portion or back panel 16. The yoke 14 is attached to the back panel 16 by any of the known methods, e.g., sewing. The yoke 14 can be sewn to the back panel 16 at a yoke seam 18 by folding over a top edge 20 of the back panel 16. Thus, the top edge 20 of the back panel 16 consists of two fabric layers 20 a, 20 b at the yoke seam 18.

[0024] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the yoke 14 includes a second reinforcing yoke layer of fabric 22 that sits near the yoke 14. Preferably, the second reinforcing yoke layer 22 sits behind the yoke 14. It should be realized by those skilled in the art that any number of additional reinforcing layers can also be added. The yoke layers 14 and 22 are joined by any of the known methods. In an exemplary embodiment, the yoke layers can be joined by one or more fasteners such as bartacks 24. It should be realized by those skilled in the art that the term “join” or “joined” or the like as used herein should be interpreted in the broadest possible scope. One non-limiting meaning of those terms is to join two or more layers, and/or to reinforce the joining of the two or more layers.

[0025] With the addition of the second reinforcing layer 22, the yoke seam 18 now consists of four layers of fabric. These four layers are the fabric layers 20 a, 20 b located at the top edge 20 of the back panel 16, the yoke 14 and the reinforcing layer 22.

[0026] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the pocket 12 is affixed to the pants 10 at the yoke seam 18 and the back panel 16 by aligning the top of the pocket 12 with the top edge 20 of the back panel 16. The pocket 12 can be affixed to the pants by any of the known methods, e.g., sewing.

[0027] The corners 26 of the pocket 12 can include six layers of fabric. The six layers of fabric at the corners 26 of the pocket 12 are derived from folding over the top edge of the pocket 100 twice, and then folding over the side edge once. Thus, at the corners 26, six layers of fabric from the pocket 12 are sewn onto the four layers of fabric at the yoke seam 18.

[0028] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, for added reinforcement, a second fastener or fasteners such as bartacks 28 are added to the corners 26 to join all ten layers of fabric. These ten layers are the six layers of fabric from the pocket 12, the fabric layers 20 a, 20 b of the back panel 16, the yoke 14, and the reinforcing yoke layer 22. It should be realized by those skilled in the art that any fastener or means could be used to join the fabric as described herein.

[0029] It has been found that with this “double bartacks” construction, it is very difficult to remove the pocket 12 from the pants 10, or even to rip the pants 10 by pulling on the pocket 12. Not being bound by theory, at least part of the reason may be because the pocket construction now has two stress points 30, 32 instead of one, and/or because the stress points are reinforced with more layers of fabric than prior constructions.

[0030] The primary stress point 30 is where the bartack 28 joins the ten layers of fabric, namely the six layers of fabric from the pocket 12, the layers 20 a, 20 b of the back panel 16, the yoke 14, and the reinforcing yoke layer 22. The secondary stress point 32 is where the bartacks 24 join the yoke layers 14 and 22. By utilizing two sets of bartacks, namely the bartacks 24 and 28, the strength of the pocket 12 is much improved. The bartacks 24 join the yoke 14 and the reinforcing layer 22 to increase the strength of the pants in that area which is the secondary stress point 32. The bartacks 28 on the pocket 12 join the pocket to the four layers of fabric at the yoke seam 18, making it hard to pull the pockets off the pants at that area, namely the primary stress point 30.

[0031] Referring now to FIGS. 7a-9, there is shown an alternative embodiment of the pocket construction 212 of the present invention, which is a variation of the “double bartacks” system. Like the aforementioned exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 4a-6, the pants 210 include a top portion or yoke 214 sewn onto a bottom portion or back panel 216. The yoke 214 is attached to the back panel 216 by any of the known methods, e.g., sewing. In an exemplary embodiment, the yoke 214 is sewn to the back panel 216 at a yoke seam 218 by folding over the top edge 220 of the back panel 216. Thus, the top edge 220 of the back panel 216 consists of two fabric layers 220 a, 220 b at the yoke seam 218. In this exemplary embodiment, the yoke seam 218 is made larger than a conventional yoke seam to allow the pocket 212 to be placed lower on the seam 218, FIG. 9, for the reasons set forth below.

[0032] Similar to the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 4a-6, the yoke 214 includes a second yoke reinforcing layer of fabric 222 that sits near the yoke 214. Preferably, the second reinforcing layer 222 sits behind the yoke 214. With the addition of the second layer 222, the yoke seam 218 now consists of four layers of fabric. These four layers are the fabric layers 220 a, 220 b located at the top edge 220 of back panel 216 or the yoke seam 218, the yoke 214 and the reinforcing layer 222

[0033] In an exemplary embodiment, the pocket 212 is sewn onto the pants 210 below the top edge 220 of the enlarged yoke seam 218 and onto the back panel 216 by any of the known methods, e.g., sewing. The pocket 212 is sewn a sufficient distance from the top edge of the yoke seam 218 to define a fastening area 221 to allow one or more of a bartack 224 to join the layers 220 a, 220 b in addition to the yoke 214 and the reinforcing layer 222. For example, the pocket 212 can be sewed onto the pants 210 about 0.375 inches from the top edge 220 of the yoke seam 218. This reduces any direct stress to the yoke seam 218 and the yoke 214.

[0034] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the corners 226 of the pocket 212 include six layers of fabric. The six layers of fabric at the corners 226 of the pocket 212 are derived by folding over the top edge of the pocket twice, and then folding over the side edge once. Thus, at the corners 226, the six layers of fabric from the pocket 212 are sewn onto onto the four layers of fabric at the yoke seam 218 by any of the known methods. In an exemplary embodiment, a second fastener or set of fasteners such as a bartack 228 can be added to the corners 226 to join all ten layers of fabric for added reinforcement. These ten layers are the six layers of fabric from the pocket 212, the layers 220 a, 220 b of the back panel 216, the yoke layer 214, and the reinforcing yoke layer 222.

[0035] The added space on the yoke seam 218, i.e., the fastening area 221, allows room on the yoke seam 218 for a second fastener or fasteners such as the second bartack 224 to join the layers 220 a and 220 b, the yoke 214 and the second reinforcing layer 222 for added reinforcement.

[0036] It has been found that with this “double bartacks” construction, it is very difficult to remove the pocket 212 from the pants 210, or even to rip the pants 210 by pulling on the pocket 212. Not being bound by theory, this may be because the pocket construction now has two stress points instead of one, and/or because the stress points are reinforced with more layers of fabric than prior art constructions. The primary stress point 230 is where the bartacks 228 join the six layers of fabric from pocket 212, the fabric layers 220 a, 220 b of the back panel 216, the yoke layer 214, and the reinforcing yoke layer 222. The secondary stress point 232 is where the bartacks 224 join the yoke layers 214 and 222 and also reinforces the joinder of the yoke layers 214, 222 to the yoke seam 218.

[0037] Although the present invention has been described in relation to particular embodiments thereof, many other variations and modifications and other uses will become apparent to those skilled in the art. It is preferred, therefore, that the present invention be limited not by the specific disclosure herein. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A pocket construction, comprising: a first panel; at least one second reinforcing panel that sits near the first panel; a third panel including an overlap portion that overlaps at least a portion of the first panel; a pocket portion mounted to the overlap portion of the third panel; and at least one first fastener to join the first panel and the at least one reinforcing panel.
 2. The pocket construction of claim 1, wherein the at least one first fastener is a bartack.
 3. The pocket construction of claim 1, wherein at least one second fastener joins the pocket portion, the overlap portion and the first and second panels.
 4. The pocket construction of claim 3, wherein the at least one second fastener is a bartack.
 5. The pocket construction of claim 3, wherein at least two of the first fastener joins the first panel and the at least one second reinforcing panel, and at least two of the second fasteners join the pocket portion, the overlap portion and the first and second panels.
 6. The pocket construction of claim 3, wherein the pocket portion has two opposite corners, and at least two of the second fasteners join the pocket portion, the overlap portion and the first and second panels at the opposite corners.
 7. A pocket construction, comprising: a first panel; at least one second reinforcing panel that sits near the first panel; a third panel including an overlap portion that overlaps at least a portion of the first panel; a pocket portion mounted to the overlap portion of the third panel; at least two first bartacks to join the first panel and the at least one reinforcing panel; and at least two second bartacks to join the pocket portion, the overlap portion and the first and second panels.
 8. The pocket construction of claim 7, wherein the pocket portion has two opposite corners, and the at least two second bartacks join the pocket portion, the overlap portion and the first and second panels at the opposite corners.
 9. A pocket construction, comprising: a first panel; at least one second reinforcing panel that sits near the first panel; a third panel including an overlap portion that overlaps at least a portion of the first panel; a pocket portion mounted to the overlap portion of the third panel, the pocket portion structured and arranged to sit a distance away from a top edge of the overlap portion to define a fastening area therebetween; and at least one first fastener to join the overlap portion, the first panel and the at least one reinforcing panel at the fastening area.
 10. The pocket construction of claim 9, wherein the fastening area is about 0.375 inches high.
 11. The pocket construction of claim 9, wherein the at least one first fastener is a bartack.
 12. The pocket construction of claim 9, wherein at least one second fastener joins the pocket portion, the overlap portion and the first and second panels.
 13. The pocket construction of claim 12, wherein the at least one second fastener is a bartack.
 14. The pocket construction of claim 12, wherein at least two of the first fastener joins the overlap portion, the first panel and the at least one second reinforcing panel, and at least two of the second fastener joins the pocket portion, the overlap portion and the first and second panels.
 15. The pocket construction of claim 12, wherein the pocket portion has two opposite corners, and at least two of the second fastener joins the pocket portion, the overlap portion and the first and second panels at the opposite corners.
 16. A pocket construction, comprising: a first panel; at least one second reinforcing panel that sits near the first panel; a third panel including an overlap portion that overlaps at least a portion of the first panel; a pocket portion mounted to the overlap portion of the third panel, the pocket portion structured and arranged to sit a distance away from a top edge of the overlap portion to define a fastening area therebetween; at least two first bartacks to join the overlap portion, the first panel and the at least one reinforcing panel at the fastening area; and at least two second bartacks to join the pocket portion, the overlap portion and the first and second panels.
 17. The pocket construction of claim 16, wherein the pocket portion has two opposite corners, and the at least two second bartacks join the pocket portion, the overlap portion and the first and second panels at the opposite corners.
 18. The pocket construction of claim 16, wherein the fastening area is about 0.375 inches high. 